Work permit in Turkey represents one of the most sensitive areas of legal framework for foreigners. Turkey’s strategic geographic position, expanding economy, and dynamic labor market have made it an increasingly attractive destination for foreign professionals. Individuals seeking to reside and work legally in Türkiye are required to complete the relevant residence and Work Permit for Foreigners in Türkiye procedures in full compliance with the governing legal framework.
Legally working in Turkey as a foreign national is a gateway to incredible professional and personal opportunities in a country that bridges continents. The key to unlocking this potential is obtaining a valid Work Permit .
The entire process is governed by the International Labor Force Law (No. 6735), and it requires a joint application submitted by both the employer and the employee. This comprehensive guide provides a clear, step-by-step roadmap for both foreign professionals and Turkish employers, explaining the updated requirements, procedures, and different permit types for 2025.
Introduction
It is important to emphasize that holding a residence permit does not automatically entitle a foreigner to work. Therefore, foreigners residing in Turkey must obtain a work permit for foreigners in Turkey in order to legally engage in employment. This article outlines the types of work permits available to foreigners in Turkey, the application procedures, and key legal considerations.
For our work and all legal services on the matter of residing in Turkey legally, please click our Practice Areas, titled Residency.
Eligibility: Work Permit Requirements in Turkey for 2025
Before beginning the work permit application, it’s crucial to ensure that both the employer (the sponsoring company) and the foreign applicant meet the minimum criteria set by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. All official applications are submitted and processed through the government’s Online Work Permit System for Foreigners.
Criteria for Employers (The Sponsoring Company)
To be eligible to hire a foreign employee, a company in Turkey must generally meet the following conditions:
- Paid-up Capital: The company’s paid-up capital must be at least 500,000 TRY.
- The “5-to-1 Rule”: The company must employ at least five (5) Turkish citizens for every one (1) foreign employee for whom a permit is requested.
- Financial Standing: The company must have sufficient gross sales or exports to justify the employment of a foreign national.
Criteria for Foreign Applicants (The Professional)
The foreign national seeking to work in Turkey must generally meet these conditions:
- A Valid Job Offer: You must have a formal job offer and a signed employment contract from a Turkish company.
- Professional Competence: You must possess the necessary qualifications, skills (diplomas, certificates), and experience relevant to the offered position.
- Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the requested duration of the work permit.
The Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Turkish work permit application can be initiated in two different ways, depending on whether the foreign national is currently outside of Turkey or is already residing in Turkey with a valid residence permit. Here is a breakdown of both processes.
Path 1: Application from Abroad (The Standard Method)
This is the primary method for foreign professionals who are not yet residing in Turkey.
- Step 1: Turkish Consulate/Embassy Application: The foreign employee must first make an application in person at a Turkish Consulate or Embassy in their country of citizenship or legal residence. They will submit their initial documents (passport, job offer/contract, etc.) and receive a unique 16-digit reference number.
- Step 2: Employer’s Online Application in Turkey: Within 10 working days of the consulate application, the employer in Turkey must use this reference number to log into the official online system. The employer then completes the formal work permit application by filling in all company/employee details and uploading the required documents.
- Step 3: Ministry Evaluation: Once submitted, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security evaluates the application based on the eligibility criteria. This evaluation process typically takes around 30 days, provided all documents are correct.
- Step 4: Approval and Work Visa: Upon approval, the foreigner is notified. They must then return to the consulate to have the work visa stamped into their passport. They can then travel to Turkey and, upon arrival, must register their address and can begin working legally.
Path 2: Application from within Turkey (Domestic Application)
This method is an alternative available only for foreign nationals who already hold a valid Turkish residence permit with at least six months of validity remaining (this cannot be a student residence permit for the first year of undergraduate studies).
- Step 1: Employer’s Online Application: In this scenario, there is no need for a consulate application. The Turkish employer can directly initiate and submit the entire work permit application through the online system on behalf of the foreign employee.
- Step 2: Evaluation and Approval: The Ministry evaluates the application. If approved, the foreigner can start working legally as of the permit’s start date. Since they already have a residence permit, the new work permit will also serve as their legal basis for residency going forward.
Understanding the Types of Work Permits in Turkey
The Turkish legal system provides several different types of work permits to accommodate various professional situations, from standard employment to long-term residency and attracting high-level talent. Understanding which category you fit into is a key part of the process.
Temporary Work Permit
This is the most common type of work permit issued for a first-time application. It is granted for a maximum of one year and is tied to a specific employer and a specific job title. If the employment relationship with the same employer continues, this permit can be extended for up to two years for the first extension, and then for up to three years for subsequent extensions.
Permanent Work Permit
Foreigners who have legally resided in Turkey for at least eight uninterrupted years, or who have held a valid work permit with the same employer for at least six years, can apply for a permanent work permit. This highly advantageous permit is not tied to a specific employer and grants the holder much broader employment rights.
Independent Work Permit
This special permit is designed for foreign professionals who wish to work on a self-employed basis in Turkey, rather than for a specific employer. The granting of an independent work permit in Turkey is subject to strict evaluation criteria based on the applicant’s level of education, professional experience, and their potential contribution to the Turkish economy.
Student Work Permit
Foreign students enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree program in Turkey can apply for a work permit after completing their first year of study. They are legally permitted to work for a maximum of 30 hours per week during the school term. This weekly hour restriction does not apply to graduate students (Master’s, PhD).
Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart)
The Turquoise Card is a prestigious type of indefinite work permit granted to highly qualified foreign talent, such as high-level executives, acclaimed researchers, or world-renowned artists and athletes. It is awarded based on a scoring system and provides its holder with rights very similar to those of a Turkish citizen, excluding the right to vote.
Turkish Work Permit Benefits: More Than Just a Job
Obtaining a Turkish work permit is more than just fulfilling a legal requirement; it is a gateway to a secure, stable, and protected professional life in Turkey. The permit provides a range of significant benefits for foreign professionals and their dependent family members.
Serves as a Residence Permit: A valid work permit is also legally considered a residence permit (ikamet izni). This means you do not need to apply for a separate residence permit to legally live in Turkey, which greatly simplifies your administrative procedures.
Access to the Turkish Social Security System (SGK): As a legal employee with a work permit, your employer is required to pay monthly social security premiums on your behalf. This grants you and your dependent family members full access to Turkey’s public healthcare system and allows you to start accumulating days toward your Turkish pension.
A Pathway to a Permanent Work Permit & Citizenship After holding a work permit and residing in Turkey for eight continuous years, you become eligible to apply for a highly advantageous permanent work permit. Furthermore, after five years of continuous legal residency with a work permit, you have the right to apply for Turkish citizenship by naturalization.
Full Protection Under Turkish Labor Law A work permit ensures that you are fully protected by the Turkish Labor Code, just like a Turkish citizen. This grants you legal rights regarding minimum wage, working hours, overtime pay, paid annual leave, severance pay (kıdem tazminatı), and protection against unfair dismissal.
Work Permit Application: Required Documents Checklist
The Turkish work permit application requires a comprehensive set of documents from both the sponsoring employer and the foreign applicant. Ensuring this file is complete and correct is the most critical part of the process. While the exact list can vary based on the company’s sector and the applicant’s role, the following covers the standard documents.
Documents to be Provided by the Employer
- Work Permit Application Letter: A formal request letter written on the company’s official letterhead.
- Foreign Personnel Application Form: The official form for the employee.
- The Turkish Trade Registry Gazette: An official copy showing the company’s latest capital and shareholding structure.
- Financial Statements: The company’s most recent balance sheet and profit/loss statement, approved by the tax office or a sworn financial advisor.
- Power of Attorney: A notarized Power of Attorney authorizing our law firm to submit the application and manage the process on the company’s behalf.
Documents to be Provided by the Foreign Applicant
- Passport Copy: A notarized copy of the applicant’s passport, along with a certified Turkish translation.
- Biometric Photograph: One recent, passport-sized biometric photograph with a white background.
- Diploma or Graduation Certificate: A notarized copy of the applicant’s diploma or graduation certificate, along with a certified Turkish translation, to prove professional competence.
- Signed Employment Contract: A copy of the formal employment contract or a formal job offer letter signed by both parties.
- Valid Residence Permit: (Only for applications from within Turkey) A copy of a valid residence permit with at least six months of validity remaining.
The Role of a Turkish Immigration Lawyer
The Turkish work permit application is a formal legal process where even small errors or omissions in the file can lead to rejection and significant delays. Working with an experienced Turkish immigration lawyer is the most effective way to ensure a smooth, compliant, and successful outcome for both the employer and the employee.
An expert legal team provides critical value by:
- Providing Strategic Guidance: We assess your company’s and the employee’s profiles against the strict eligibility criteria before the application begins, saving you from pursuing a non-viable application.
- Ensuring Flawless File Preparation: Our team meticulously prepares and cross-checks every required document to create a complete and correct application file that meets the Ministry’s exact standards.
- Managing the Entire Process: We handle the entire online submission and manage all follow-up communication with the Ministry of Labor, freeing up your HR team’s valuable time.
- Handling Rejections & Appeals: In the unfortunate event of a rejection, an expert employment lawyer in Turkey can file a formal objection and, if necessary, a lawsuit in the administrative courts to protect your rights.
Is a Residence Permit the same as a Work Permit in Turkey?
Particularly Under Article 27 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection Numbered 6458, a valid work permit for foreigners in Türkiye or a work permit exemption certificate is deemed equivalent to a residence permit. Thus, holders of such documents are legally entitled to reside in Türkiye without needing to obtain a separate residence permit.
On the other hand, foreigners working without a valid Work Permit for Foreigners in Türkiye as well as employers who employ them are subject to administrative fines. Moreover, in accordance with Article 54/1-ğ of Law Numbered 6458, foreigners found to be working without a permit may be subject to deportation orders. In such cases, a Ç-114 code is issued on the individual’s record in the GöçNet system by the Directorate General of Migration Management, which may severely affect future residence or work permit for foreigners in Türkiye applications and create a negative impression before Turkish authorities.
Occupations Restricted to Turkish Citizens
While it is legally possible for foreigners to obtain a work permit for foreigners in Türkiye in many areas, certain professions are strictly reserved for Turkish citizens under national regulations. For Instance, Foreigners are prohibited from working in the following fields:
- Attorneys (Article 3 of the Attorneys Act Numbered 1136)
- Pharmacy (Article 2 of the Law on Pharmacists and Pharmacies No. 6197)
- Private security services (Article 10 of the Law on Private Security Services No. 5188)
- Chief medical officers in private hospitals (Article 9 of the Private Hospitals Law No. 2219)
Rejection of Work Permit in Turkey
If a work permit application is rejected by the Ministry, the applicant will be informed with a statement of reasons. The applicant may file an administrative objection with the Ministry within 30 days of receiving the decision. If this objection is also rejected, judicial remedies before administrative courts remain available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I start a work permit application in Turkey?
The process always begins with a valid job offer and a signed contract from a Turkish company. If you are outside Turkey, you must make an initial application at a Turkish Consulate in your country to get a reference number. Your employer in Turkey then uses this number to complete the main online application.
Can I work in Turkey with a student permit?
Yes, but with specific restrictions. Foreign students enrolled in an undergraduate program can only apply for a work permit after their first year of study and are legally limited to working a maximum of 30 hours per week. This hourly restriction does not apply to graduate students (Master’s, PhD).
What happens if I work without a permit?
Working without a valid permit is a serious violation of Turkish immigration and labor laws. Both the employer and the foreign employee will face significant administrative fines. Additionally, the foreign national will be subject to a deportation order and an entry ban to Turkey.
Conclusion: Your Legal Foundation for a Career in Turkey
Securing a valid work permit is the essential first step for any foreign professional looking to build a successful career in Turkey. It is the legal foundation of your professional life here and a critical component of Turkey’s comprehensive employment law framework, which governs the entire relationship between a company and its employees.
Furthermore, for those who see their future in Turkey long-term, several years of legal employment can open the door to a more permanent status. After five years of continuous residency with a work permit, you become eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship.
Pi Legal Consultancy provides expert guidance on every stage of this journey, from initial work permit applications to long-term residency and citizenship solutions.
